Moorish idol :

English Name : Moorish idol
Local Name : Dhidha mas
Size : Max. 22 cm
Family : ZANCLIDAE
Order : Perciformes
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 7 spines and 40-43 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 33-35 rays. Pectoral fin with 19 rays. Body depth 1.0-1.4 in standard length. Body compressed. Third dorsal spine extremely long and filamentous. Snout slender and projecting.
Colour: White anteriorly, yellow posteriorly. Two broad black bars, one from nape to thorax and abdomen (enclosing eye) and the other curving across posterior body and entering dorsal and anal fins. A black-edged orange saddle on snout. Caudal fin largely black.
Habitat and Biology: Occurs on coral reefs over a large depth range, from the shallows to at least 180 m. Omnivorous, but feeds more on benthic animal material, such as sponges more than algae.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific.
Remarks: Zanclus cornutus is the only species in the family. It is often favoured by aquarists. Z. canescens
(Linnaeus) is a synonym based on the post-larval stage (to 8 cm).

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